The Advent season is upon us, a time when we reflect on the story of Christ’s birth. This year, our sermon series invites us to visit the homes of the four Gospel writers: Mark, Matthew, John, and Luke. Today, we enter Mark’s home to hear his account of the Savior’s arrival.
A Christmas Memory: Judy’s Story
When I was little, my grandmother Judy owned a diner. It was her home as much as her workplace. Every Christmas, our extended family would gather there to celebrate. Sitting in the bright red booths or on tall counter stools, we exchanged gifts and enjoyed comfort food like open-faced roast beef sandwiches. That diner felt like home, filled with the warmth of family and cherished traditions.
Homes often reflect our values and memories. My tree holds ornaments from travels to Charleston, Jamaica, and the Czech Republic. My mother’s home is adorned with nativity sets. Each decoration tells a story.
What would Mark’s home reveal about Christmas?
Mark’s Home: Simple and Straightforward
Imagine Mark’s home. It’s simple, uncluttered, and focused. There are no Christmas lights or nativity scenes—just a single wooden cross on the table. For Mark, the cross is central to the Christmas story. Have you ever considered the cross as a Christmas decoration? Mark does.
Mark’s Gospel begins not with the birth of Jesus but with John the Baptist, a grown man proclaiming the arrival of the Savior.
Preparing the Way: Mark 1:1-11
In Mark 1:1-11, John the Baptist fulfills Isaiah’s prophecy, calling people to prepare their hearts for the coming King. He baptizes them in the Jordan River as a sign of repentance and renewal. But then, Jesus himself enters the waters. Why would the sinless Son of God need baptism?
Jesus’ baptism signifies his identification with humanity. He steps into our place, embodying our need for repentance and surrender. At that moment, the heavens open, the Spirit descends like a dove, and the Father declares, “You are my beloved Son; with you, I am well pleased.” The Triune God is fully present, revealing Jesus’ mission to bring redemption to all people.
The Cross in Mark’s Home
For Mark, the cross is not a symbol of defeat but of victory. It’s the ultimate Christmas message: God sent his Son, in the power of the Spirit, to bring forgiveness and eternal life. Mark’s straightforward Gospel reminds us that the good news isn’t limited to a baby in a manger but extends to the man who laid down his life for us.
Bringing Hope Home
As you invite friends and family into your home this Advent season, consider what they will discover about Jesus there. Will your home reflect the hope, peace, and love of Christ? Amid the busyness of shopping, decorating, and hosting, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But true hope is found not in nostalgia or busyness but in the cross.
In 2008, an associate pastor shared a profound image during Advent. A church member crafted a manger, a large cross, and necklaces from the wood of a single tree. This powerful reminder ties the birth of Jesus to his ultimate sacrifice. Galatians 3:13-14 says, “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us.” The wood of the manger and the cross symbolize the full scope of God’s redemptive plan.
A Call to Faith
Jesus invites us to take up our cross, die to selfishness and sin, and walk with him into new life. When we accept Jesus by faith, we become vessels of his Spirit, carrying his hope and light into the world. This Advent, let us pray for others to come home to Jesus, remembering that the cross—the ultimate symbol of hope—is at the center of the Christmas story.
Confirmation Sunday
Today, we celebrate with joy as 11 students profess their faith in Jesus Christ. Three will be baptized, and eight will remember their baptism as they join the church. Each will receive a cross, a symbol of their commitment to live as disciples of Christ.
Benediction
As we leave Mark’s home, let his message stay with us: Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world. He brings hope in place of despair, peace in place of anxiety, and love that conquers death. This Christmas, let the cross remind us of the life-giving power of God’s love. Amen.
